LESTER PRAIRIE, MN  The staff at Fred Holasek & Son Greenhouses in Lester Prairie know a thing or two about poinsettias, and this knowledge earned them a spot in a national magazine.

The business is featured in the December-January issue of Country Woman Magazine.

“They contacted us last November. They saw an article about our poinsettias on the Internet,” co-owner Jane Holasek explained.

That led to a series of e-mails and phone conversations between Holasek and the magazine.

The magazine staff e-mailed a long list of questions, and Holasek sent back responses. The questions covered everything from the history of the business, to daily operations, to the care of poinsettias.

The company offers six shades of red poinsettias, as well as 12 other varieties.

Holasek was notified in July that the business would be featured in the magazine.

The story appears on page seven of the issue.

Holasek said she appreciates the help of Lester Prairie residents Arlyn and Kim Debruyckere, who took more than 900 photographs of the plants and the greenhouse staff. Holasek put the photos on a CD, and sent it to the magazine. A selection of the photos were used in the publication.

“They were very nice to work with,” Holasek said of the magazine staff. “They were good about getting proofs to us and answering questions.”

Holasek said that it was helpful that the magazine contacted her last November, because this allowed her to arrange photos throughout the growing process.

The greenhouse orders the poinsettias in January, and they arrive in June.

After months of care, the plants are ready to be delivered to the Holaseks’ wholesale customers in November.

The greenhouse also has its own retail center.

November is the biggest month not just for Christmas decorating, but for winter decorating, Holasek said.

In addition to the poinsettias, there are wreaths, spruce tips, along with a variety of filler items, including magnolia leaves, seeded eucalyptus, and red huck.

The variety of poinsettias available at Holaseks’ is typical of their offerings during each season.

In their 30 years in business, they have always tried to develop new and interesting plants.

“Things go in and out of vogue, and we have to be ready with the next new thing,” Jane explained.

The greenhouse offered 42 varieties of pumpkins and squash this fall, and expects to have even more next year.

Holasek has already completed her spring plantings to help gardeners with the excitement of getting through the winter.

“People can’t wait to get out in their gardens again, and they are always asking what is new,” Holasek explained.

As for the poinsettias, red is always the most popular color, and red is one of “the” colors this Christmas, Holasek said.

Whenever there is a downturn in the economy, red becomes popular again, she added.

Holasek said she will be interested to see what kind of response the greenhouse gets from the magazine story.

The issue of Country Woman featuring the greenhouse will be mailed to subscribers this week, and will be available on news stands soon after.

The company will be conducting an open house Friday, Nov. 13 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 14 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Refreshments will be available, and those attending will have the opportunity to register for giveaways.

More information about Fred Holasek & Son Greenhouses is available at the company’s web site, www.holasekflowerpower.com.